DLA mandatory reconsideration refused for 14-year-old with complex additional needs

[IncessantNameChanger]

My sons DLA Manditory reconsideration has just been refused.

He is 14 and been on highest rate care since 3 and mobility since 5. Nothing has changed. He has ASD, ADHD and a genetic duplication. Was non verbal at 7. Illiterate at 11. Girs to a Indi sen school in London 26 miles from home via taxi as no school nearer can meet his need. Has a Children with learning disabilities socsil worker.

I'm going to appeal but he meets every point under arrested development.

I'm really worried for hìs future as he will need supported living but I worry although his needs never improve, the criteria for help increases. Thankfully I did renew his blue badge directly with my LA. So glad I never considered a mobility car.

Do you mean you were awarded DLA, just not the rate (presumably HRM?) you think DS is eligible for, or do you mean DLA was refused completely?

It isn’t enough just to prove arrested development. I presume you are talking about HRM under the SMI criteria? In which case proving arrested development or incomplete development of the brain is just part of it. You have to prove every other part of the flowchart which you can see in this document. To be eligible you need to prove every part of test. Also have a look at Contact’s webpage and Contact’s leaflet.

DC can be in a specialist independent school a distance away, have a social worker and go on to need supported living and not meet the criteria for HRM under the SMI criteria, so don’t rely on those arguments.

Yes I proved every part of the test with multiple examples. Now I'm wondering how he ever got HRM before as never proved as much evidence before and always had HRM until now.